Piedmont will do its part to reduce global warming by committing to a 15 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.

The 3-1 decision was made by the City Council on Monday, with Mayor Abe Friedman absent and Councilman Garrett Keating dissenting. Keating, a biologist, supported a 25 percent target.

“I like 10 percent better,” resident George Kersh said. “Let’s go slow. We don’t like outsiders telling us what to do.”

“We have a commitment in the general plan to go green,” said Keating, “As a scientist I see Piedmont as a great experiment. It’s happening in town. You’re seeing Smart Cars. People are aware.”

The city is engrossed in developing a climate action plan, step by step. Piedmont, like most other area cities, has joined the ICLEI climate protection campaign and the Alameda County Climate Protection Project.

Municipalities have a statewide mandate to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions following the 2006 passage of AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act. The first step for Piedmont was to choose an energy-saving target that seemed attainable. Currently, there are no penalties for cities that do not comply.

The city has already gone green in other ways, adding a new waste and recycling program, a Bay-friendly landscaping ordinance, some hybrids in its vehicle fleet, construction debris diversion from landfill and other measures.

But with so many older homes in the bedroom community, there is a concern among the council and many residents about the cost to property owners for energy-saving measures such as solar panels, double-pane windows and insulation. Those kinds of improvements could cost $10,000 or more.

Environmental task force member Susan Ode said such improvements, where possible, result in higher property values, energy reduction, cost savings and waste reduction. There may be some funds available from federal block grants and other grant programs through the Association of Bay Area Governments or other agencies.

The council asked consultant firm EDAW Inc. for a comparison of targets set by cities comparable to Piedmont. Cotati has identified a 30 percent reduction by 2015; Fairfax is shooting for 20 percent by 2020; and San Anselmo, 10 to 15 percent by 2015.

“We’re setting off on new territory,” City Administrator Geoff Grote said, hoping for “an aggressive and substantial participation by homeowners.”

“We are on the cusp of having programs that may help to finance improvements,” he said.

Resident Tom Brightbill told the council he thought the plan “was woefully inadequate, a major burden on homeowners.”

“The motivation has to be non-economic,” Brightbill said.

Smaller steps can be made to conserve energy by sealing ducts, insulating water heaters and installing programmable thermostats.

In other business, the city received its monthly budget update, which showed a slight decline in revenues from the previous report. Real estate transfer tax projected at $2.1 million in revenue is down to $1.7 million. Property tax revenues are down to $8.9 million from the expected $9.2 million, finance director Mark Bichsel said.

If you go
WHAT: Climate protection community forum
WHEN: 6 p.m. May 27
WHERE: Piedmont community hall in Piedmont Park

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